I have some great news to share with you! Reverend Dr. W. Ronald (Abeyomi) Evans, president of the Dr. Booker T. Washington National Business League (1900) has done the pioneering work in setting up a very effective National Executive Committee that was designed to build a national platform upon which every aspect of the Ethnic American Family could participate fully in putting life into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 American Dream and Philosophy!

Rev. Dr. Evans has acquired the basic research that gives all participants the necessary new tools that enable each person to get the job done effectively and he has authorized the National Executive Director, Dr. Kilolo Ajanaku, to invite me and the World Conference of Mayors (WCM) to join the pioneering commitment of four Mayors; Mayor James L. Walls of District Heights, Maryland, Mayor Andre DeBerry of Holly Springs, Mississippi, Mayor Robert Smith, of Columbus, Mississippi and Mayor Wardell Walton, Belzoni, Mississippi in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr American Dream Team Model Cities Initiative! I have accepted and I ask that you join me in this great and rare opportunity that has enormous and positive economic/business, cultural, political and global ramifications!

A more perfect America and Global Community is so sorely needed in out perilous times, and in the United Stated we have all the hidden dimensions in our culture that can be professionally mined, brought to the surface for our use and it is all renewable human resource and boundless energy that comes with the birth of every baby! This fact is uniquely spelled out by Thomas Jefferson, the author of the American Creed that is found in our unique Declaration of Independence (1776), and that was so eloquently brought down to our times through the poetic and literary proficiency of President Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address to the American Nation and the World (1863)!

has introduced a Common Council resolution for immediate adoption urging the Milwaukee Police Department and the Fire and Police Commission to strive for and maintain transparency in their investigations of alleged illegal strip searches and body cavity searches by MPD personnel.

The resolution, which comes amid a secret John Doe investigation by Milwaukee County prosecutors into the allegations, also requests the Police Department and the Fire and Police Commission to report the findings of their investigations, highlighting the lessons learned from those investigations, within 30 days of conclusion of the investigations.

Alderwoman Coggs said she believes the complaints against certain MPD personnel – including allegations that they sexually assaulted people and violated their civil rights while conducting body cavity searches for illegal drugs – demand transparency in the investigations. “Residents deserve to know what facts and information police and Fire and Police Commission investigators are finding during the course of the investigations,” she said.

“Without transparency and information sharing, I believe the public will likely have very little faith in the integrity of the investigations,” the alderwoman said.

Common Council President Willie L. Hines, Jr., a co-sponsor of the resolution, said he is encouraged that the investigations are drawing the attention of federal authorities. “The media reports this week stating that the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office could launch their own investigation (if not satisfied with the outcome of the current probes) are an indication of how serious this matter is. To me that makes the issue of transparency ‘the issue’ going forward with the local inquiries,” he said.

According to the resolution, MPD policy and state law prohibit police personnel from conducting body cavity searches under any circumstances. It states further that a body cavity search may only be conducted by a doctor, physician assistant or registered nurse upon the issuance of a search warrant.

The file will be considered for immediate adoption by the Common Council when it meets at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 11 in the third floor Common Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St .

Representative Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee) announced Tuesday that she will not seek reelection to represent the 17th Assembly District in the Wisconsin State Legislature.

“I want to thank my constituents for trusting me to be their voice in Madison for the past eight years. Being a legislator has been both challenging and rewarding, and it is a position that I have always taken seriously,” Toles said in a written statement.

A very conscientious legislator, Toles diligently served her constituents; upholding their trust with the highest regard. For her, good representation meant staying abreast of the issues that affect the daily lives of her constituents, voicing those issues and concerns in Madison, disseminating information, and being accessible.

“Since first being elected in January 2004, it has been a privilege to serve the people of Milwaukee’s 17th Assembly District. I have been extremely humbled by their support and encouragement over the years,” she said.

Through her tenure in the State Legislature, Toles authored several pieces of legislation. Most notably, she tirelessly worked working for over two and a half years to change a law that allows Milwaukee Police Officers to be paid after termination if they appeal their termination.

Additionally, she served as a member on several committees, including Ways and Means, State Affairs, Jobs and the Economy, and Workforce Development.

She also was a member of several national legislative organizations and held office in three. She was a State Director of Women in Government and Women Legislator’s Lobby (WILL), and is the Correspondence Secretary for the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL).

“It is truly an honor to have been elected to represent our city in the State Assembly, and I look forward to the next chapter of my life, which will include public service in another capacity.”

ith the exception of a few contests, the results of Tuesday’s local general elections for Milwaukee mayor, aldermen, and Milwaukee county supervisor and circuit court reflected the MCJ’s call for experience in our endorsements last week, as incumbents ruled the day in a number of key political races.

Despite several new faces presenting fresh and innovative ideas, voters who came out on election day preferred familiarity

to change. Perhaps this was the reason voter turnout was moderately light.

An example was the aldermanic ninth district race where incumbent Ald. Robert Puente narrowly beat the one challenger many political observers–including us–expected to win, Ray Harmon, a former Milwaukee Urban League director of economic development and a legislative assistant in city, county and state government.

Shunning public appearances, interviews and an offer to debate against Harmon in favor of large signs with his name boldly embossed on them that were found on the facades and signage foundations of non-Black businesses, Puente managed to squeeze out a 2,654 vote to 2,015 win.

Election observers believe the light turnout among Black voters in what has become a predominately Black district on the northwest side is responsible for Harmon’s surprising defeat.

One city election, which went as predicted was the mayoral race. Incumbent Mayor Tom Barrett easily won reelection over challenger EdwardMc- Donald, 50,644 votes to 21,369.

With his win, Barrett will now divide his time running the city and running for the state’s highest office. Barrett recently threw his hat in the ring with three other Democrats to challenge Gov. Scott Walker in a recall election.

Obviously while Barrett is campaigning, 15th district Alderman and Common Council President Willie Hines will from time-to-time hold the reigns of city government. The incumbent Hines handily won reelection, garnering 2,466 votes to Milwaukee County Board District 10 Supervisor Eyon Biddle’s 1,671 votes.

Another easy Common Council victor was sixth district Ald. Milele Coggs. She retained her seat garnering 3,161 votes to challenger Ieshuh Griffin’s 499 votes.

Another Coggs, State Sen. Spencer Coggs becomes the first citywide elected African American office holder, winning the City Treasurer position. He edged out another state senator, Tim Carpenter, by less then a thousand votes, 35,096 to 34,393.

Like the city treasurer race, there was no incumbent in the district five Milwaukee County Board Supervisor race to replace retiring Board Chairman Lee Holloway. In that race, two political new comers from well-known political families squared off to replace Holloway. Russell Stamper II, son of Judge Russell Stamper, will replace the long-time supervisor and chairman, garnering 2,521 votes to Priscilla Coggs-Jones’1,875 votes. Coggs-Jones is the daughter of former County Board Supervisor now State. Rep. Elizabeth Coggs.

Another board race without an incumbent was in the 10th district where David Bowen won that vacated seat over Radolph Matthews, Jr., 1,915 votes to 1,287 votes respectively.

A small contingent of supporters gathered Saturday to participate in the Black Hoodie Walk for Trayvon Martin. Protesters marched through the Sherman Park Neighborhood to Washington Park to demand justice for the slain Florida teen who was fatally shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer. (photo by Mikel Holt)

Sometimes lawyers get a bad rap, but that’s never been the case with Hupy &Abraham, SC. Because of their conscientious commitment to the community they serve, Hupy &Abraham Law Offices have earned a reputation in the Milwaukee community for being innovative, giving and community-minded.

It’s not often that we hear of a personal injury law firm sponsoring initiatives such as PEARLS for Teen Girls, breast cancer fundraisers or being the signature sponsor of the Milwaukee Center for Leadership Development Minority Achievers Awards Dinner.

But, these are just a few of the programs and events that Hupy &Abraham have sponsored. And, it doesn’t include initiatives such as donating Thanksgiving meals to more than 100 families, raising money to fight domestic violence or sponsoring scholarships for theWillie D. Davis Scholarship Fund.

Hupy & Abraham has a long and colorful history in the Milwaukee community, and it proudly traces its roots back to Attorney Lloyd Barbee, who started the Milwaukee Public School Integration lawsuit. Apparently, social consciousness and determination to make a difference in the community they serve is at the core of this law firm’s commitment to Milwaukee’s quality of life and its success.

Attorney Michael F. Hupy, a graduate of Marquette University Law School, has practiced personal injury law in the community for more than 40 years. He is a Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, has the highest rating inMartindale-Hubbell and is included in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, is Past President of theWisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, a former member of the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers Board of Directors, a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, selected for inclusion in the first list of Super Lawyers inWisconsin, licensed inWisconsin, in Illinois and an author and lecturer in trial practice.

Attorney Hupy has taken the lead role in giving back to the community, supporting causes fromAmerica’s Second Harvest, to scholarship programs, to child safety fingerprint programs. In December 2008, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle presented Attorney Hupy with a Certificate of Commendation for his years of leadership in making “The community a better place to live.” This is just one of numerous awards Attorney Hupy has received for his tireless commitment to the community.

Attorney Jason F. Abraham, also a graduate of Marquette University Law School, joined Hupy and Abraham, S.C., in 1993 and progressed to the position of shareholder at the firm in 1999.

He is a Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the American Bar Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and theMulti-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Because of their long-standing commitment to community involvement and giving back, Hupy & Abraham have managed to break some of the unflattering stereotypes sometimes perceived of attorneys.

Their actions speak louder than words ever could and, if those actions could speak, they would clearly say, “We care. We are committed to this community and we will put our money where our heart is to help make Milwaukee a better community!”

Thank you Hupy & Abraham for being a good neighbor, for makingMilwaukee a better place to live, work and raise families, and for your unprecedented corporate citizenry!